Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete has reacted with disappointment to the news that the country have slipped to 16th in the latest FIFA rankings.

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Italy have dropped three places in the past month, slipping behind Slovenia, Chile and Norway. Abete says a country that has won the World Cup on four occasions should not find themselves in such a disappointing position.

Being 16th in the FIFA ranking is not befitting of Italy, Abete said. But it's a strange position which takes into account our last results. After the terrible result at the World Cup we've won two and drawn one in our three European Championship qualifiers.

But this ranking also takes into account the level of our opponents [Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands]. Unfortunately there's a risk that we will stay there for a while but we're convinced and determined to return to the top.

Spain remain on top of the rankings, with Netherlands in second, while the only change in the top eight sees Brazil move ahead of Germany and into third.

Russia have climbed 15 places to tenth, while Montenegro's rise continues as they are up 14 places into 26th. The country famously secured a draw against England earlier this month having already won their opening three Euro 2012 qualifiers.